Stour up to second after win over rivals Halesowen

STOURBRIDGE leaped from fifth to second position in division two of the Birmingham and District Premier League by beating local rivals Halesowen.

Keen to change inconsistent form so far this season, Stourbridge notched up an important five wicket victory against a new look Halesowen side with Faisal Shahid at the helm replacing Wes Griffiths.

On a hot day, Shahid called correctly at the toss of the coin and set about notching up a total past the 200 mark. Pace man Matt Bradley made the early breakthrough for Stour with the score on 11 taking the wicket of Mohammad Shauib lbw for one.

Number three Wes Griffiths, a former Stourbridge player, and opener Kester Moseley took the score to 53 when Griffiths was caught from the bowling of James Wood for 18.

The biggest partnership of the innings was built between Mosley and the skipper Shahid as they progressed the score to 103. Next to go was the skipper, falling lbw to Audy Alexander for 22 in the 34th over.

Sixteen-year-old Dion Patel, joined the opener Moseley with a mission to accelerate the run rate and hit 49 to help his team to reach 194 for their 50 overs.

Stour’s opening partnership of 21 between Alex Bingham and Steve Game set the tone for the away team's replay.

Bingham, who had played two consecutive square cuts off Dan Jones, was first to depart with his score on 10.

Game and Richard Bradley batted for nine overs putting on 48. The cautious Bradley was a victim of spinner Zain Shahid for 27 and Game followed the very next over for 25.

However, Audy Alexander hit an unbeaten 56 and was supported by Josh Banks and Matt Bradley as Stour edged towards a much-needed victory.

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